During Q4, biopharma merger and acquisition value reached $35.7bn and drew in $62.1bn in potential deal value from alliances. Device company M&A values reached $19.2bn, while in vitro diagnostic firms and research tools players completed M&A activity that totaled $4.8bn.

The confluence of data science and molecular biology fuels expectations among biopharma industry leaders for another year of breakthrough innovation in human therapeutics. More than 70 executives and experts reveal what they are most excited about on the technology front.

Five $1bn+ alliances were penned in November. Topping the list was a potential $4.5bn deal between Arcturus Therapeutics and CSL Seqirus.

Higher dose or adjuvanted seasonal flu vaccines – Fluzone, Fluad and Flubok – provide benefit over other vaccines for older adults, advisory committee concludes. Merck’s PCV15 pneumococcal vaccine and GSK’s Priorix MMR vaccine are recommended for pediatric use by ACIP.